Some of the most promising secondary school players from around the South have been identified as future Sparks and Volts players.
Otago cricket yesterday announced the new intake into its emerging players programme.
Nineteen boys and 13 girls have been identified as potential future Otago representatives based on their efforts last summer.
The programme consists of 12 weeks in the pre-season period to help players prepare for the 2022-23 season and beyond.
They all receive access to coaching from Otago performance staff as well as guidance in areas such as strength and conditioning and mental health.
A feature of the Emerging Volts squad is the presence of no fewer than three players from St Kevin’s College.
The Oamaru school could not even field a regular First XI a few years ago, but after an intensive rebuild led by staff member and former Volts bowler Craig Smith, cricket has blossomed again.
Ben Kay — who has already played two games for the North Otago senior team, and also captains the St Kevin’s First XV — is joined by Lloyd Fellowes and Liam Direen.
There are also three boys — Hugo Bogue, Mason Clarke and Toby Hart — from Wakatipu High School.
The Emerging Volts squad features a couple of familiar surnames.
Zac Cumming is the son of former Black Caps opener Craig and younger brother of rookie Volts batter Jacob, and Thomas O’Connor is the son of former Black Caps bowler Shayne.
Henry Scott, Mason Gain, Liam Barron (John McGlashan), Nick Brown (Southland Boys’), Sam Duff (Taieri College), Luke Murray, Joe Ingram (King’s), Ben McCall (Gore), Bodhi Keiller, Sebastian Kyle (Otago Boys’) and Xavier Chisholm (Otago University) complete the boys squad.
There are also cricketers of pedigree in the Emerging Sparks squad.
Hannah O’Connor is Shayne’s daughter, Ella Drumm is the niece of former White Ferns batter Emily Drumm, and Hannah Wilson is the daughter of New Zealand Cricket board member Anna Campbell.
A player to watch is Louisa Kotkamp (Columba), who took a hat-trick at the New Zealand under-15 tournament a couple of summers ago.
Abby Fookes (Wakatipu), Isy Parry, Elisabeth Hutton-Neil (Otago Girls’), Emily Brosnahan (Columba), Caitlin Scherp (South Otago), Jordan Meltzer, Zarah Moana (St Hilda’s), Angelique Peyroux (Otago University) and Georgie McEwen (Bayfield) complete the Emerging Sparks squad.
"We are trying to develop all facets of the individual to be great in all that we do," Subasinghe said.
"These players have all been selected because of their potential to play cricket at the highest level, and we look forward to supporting their development."
Performance general manager Steve Martin said it was pleasing to see the programme grow this season.
"Identified talent from Dunedin, Southland, North Otago and Otago Country will receive amazing support through this programme, carried out by our performance staff and network coaching programme, meaning that players can be supported wherever they reside," Martin said.
